Synthesis of Rigid Colloidal Bead Chains in an Apolar Solvent

Abstract

When high frequency electric fields are applied to a system of colloids, they induce a dipole moment without changing the double layer surrounding the particles. This dipole moment drastically changes the morphology of the system by causing strong head-toe attractions and sideways repulsions, resulting in the formation of 1D strings, 2D sheets, and 3D crystals. By using a system comprised of a low concentration of spherical polymethylmethacrylate particles in an apolar solvent, bead chains form which can be made into permanent rigid strings by application of a heating step.